Written Answers Nos. 268 - 278
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is providing product from the Corrib gas field to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16649/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Corrib gas field, operated by Shell E&P Ireland Limited, on behalf of the Corrib Gas Partners, came on stream in the final days of 2015. I understand that the bulk of the gas produced from the Corrib field will be supplied to the national grid via the 149km pipeline constructed by Gas Networks Ireland, which runs from the gas terminal in Bellanaboy Co Mayo to Ballymoneen outside of Galway. It is estimated that Corrib will have an operating life span of between 15 to 20 years and gas production will on average meet 42% of all island gas demand over the first two years of operation, declining thereafter.
269. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding 42-tonne vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16424/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe derogation permitting a maximum weight limit of 42 tonnes over 5-axles (2-axle tractor unit and 3-axle semi-trailer combinations) expires on 30 June 2016.
I am currently examining this issue in light of a number of factors including: the details supplied; the overarching need to secure a significant decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage and related costs to the public finances; as well as in terms of the extensive period of time, since 2003, given to the industry to adapt to the ending of the derogation.
I understand that under the Road Traffic (Construction and Use) Regulations 2003 - S.I. No. 5 of 2003 an upper weight limit of 40 tonnes was set for such vehicles, with a five year derogation incorporated into the Regulations permitting these vehicles to operate at 42 tonnes until the end of 2008. However, since then, the derogation has been extended seven times.
270. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will issue a route licence to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16429/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLicensing of public bus passenger services is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
271. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of funding for Dalymount Park in Dublin 7, including when the renovation will start and finish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16452/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe previous Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport indicated the Government's commitment to support Dublin City Council in the proposed redevelopment of Dalymount Park.
No financial allocation has been made to date. In the absence of a provisional allocation for this DCC project, the Department has no details on likely starting and finishing dates.
272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a relief road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16455/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Among those schemes is the Dingle Relief Road. It is a matter for Kerry County Council to progress this scheme through the approval process. My Department has allocated a grant of €50,000 to Kerry County Council this year to fund planning work related to the project.
273. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the provision of funding for the Daingean Uí Chúis relief road in County Kerry, including if he will prioritise its progression; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16460/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Among those schemes is the Dingle Relief Road. It is a matter for Kerry County Council to progress this scheme through the approval process. My Department has allocated a grant of €50,000 to Kerry County Council this year to fund planning work related to the project.
274. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure a text and e-mail are issued to holders of driving licences six months in advance of their expiry date, given that persons driving on a lapsed licence are not covered by insurance and that each year many persons find that their licence has expired and that they have been driving without a valid licence. [16468/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the National Driver Licensing Service, which is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
275. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to respond to issues raised by a person (details supplied) relating to international flights between Boston in the United States of America and Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16528/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 12th of April 2016 the US Department of Transportation issued an Order to Show Cause (Order 2016-4-12) that tentatively found that Norwegian Air International (NAI) should be issued with a foreign air carrier permit, which would allow the airline to operate the proposed Cork to Boston route and other routes from Europe to the US.
The US Department of Transportation carried out a public consultation on this tentative decision, which received a large number of submissions both for and against the granting of a permit to NAI. This public consultation is now closed. I look forward to the US authorities confirming their tentative decision as soon as possible so the airline can start flying to the US.
276. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the properties his Department and agencies under its remit leased; the number they leased on upward-only rents and the number of the lessors who were involved with the National Asset Management Agency or with any of the State banks; and the details of each lease. [16607/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coast Guard, a division of my Department, operate from some 54 properties around the coast. Some of these properties are leased from the OPW, Government Departments, County Councils and private landowners. Further information on these lease agreements will be provided to the Deputy at a later date.
The position regarding the Agencies under the remit of this Department is a matter for them. I have forwarded a copy of your question to them for direct reply. If you have not heard from the Agencies within ten working days, please contact my private office.
277. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has assessed how she could rebalance public supports for research and development, given the recent assertion by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development that such supports are skewed towards tax credits and should be rebalanced towards more direct support for domestic small and medium enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16470/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, (OECD), in its Economic Review of Ireland 2015 highlighted that public support for business R&D is increasingly skewed towards R&D tax credits and that government can help strengthen Ireland’s sector by rebalancing its innovation policies towards more direct form of innovation supports.
Innovation 2020 is the Government Strategy on research and development, science and technology and highlights the importance of innovation in enterprise as a competitive advantage for Ireland. This strategy commits to increasing the level of innovation activity within firms and also increasing the number of firms conducting research and development.
My Department is leading on a review of the research, development and innovation supports available to businesses so as to encourage more businesses, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), to become R&D active.
This project will focus on the R&D activity within firms and understand the challenges facing firms in undertaking innovation activity. It will then map a wide range of research and development supports (which will include the R&D Tax Credit) and then benchmark those internationally so as to ensure that Ireland’s offering is competitive.
This project will then go on to identify opportunities to streamline, strengthen or introduce new research, development and innovation supports that respond to the needs of SMEs and larger companies in Ireland.
This project is a commitment within the Action Plan for Jobs 2016 and will be delivered before the end of 2016.
278. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the implementation of the Construction Contracts Act 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16503/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Construction Contracts Act, 2013 will apply to certain construction contracts entered into after the 25th July 2016 in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 165 of 2016 entitled 'Construction Contracts Act, 2013 (Appointed Day) Order 2016'. The Act provides, subject to some exceptions, new minimum contractual provisions concerning payment arrangements between the parties to a construction contract. The parties to a construction contract covered by the Act and entered into after the 25th July must therefore ensure that the contract conforms to the provisions of the new legislation.
The Act also provides for adjudication as a means to resolve payment disputes between parties to such construction contracts. If a payment dispute does arise between the parties to an applicable construction contract entered into after the 25th July 2016, either party will have the right to refer the payment dispute for adjudication. Where the parties cannot agree as to the selection of an Adjudicator, an application may be made by one of the parties to the Chairperson of the Ministerial appointed Panel of Adjudicators seeking the appointment of an Adjudicator. The Chairperson will appoint an Adjudicator from that Panel to make a determination in respect of the payment dispute.
I will publish a Code of Practice relating to the conduct of adjudications under section 9 of the Act in the coming weeks, following which there will be a public information campaign undertaken by my Department in relation to the commencement of the legislation.
